Oxtail Lasagna Soup (Jamaican-Italian Comfort Fusion)

When you think of comfort food, Jamaican oxtail stew and Italian lasagna both come to mind. Now imagine the bold, savory flavors of slow-braised oxtail meeting the cheesy, saucy goodness of lasagna—all in one bowl. That’s exactly what this Oxtail Lasagna Soup is: a Jamaican-Italian fusion that’s hearty, flavorful, and downright unforgettable.

This dish combines fall-off-the-bone oxtail simmered in rich tomatoes and herbs with broken lasagna noodles and creamy cheese for a soup that feels like a hug in a bowl. Perfect for cozy nights, Saturday dinners, or when you want to impress family and friends with something they’ve never had before.

Jump to Recipe

What is Oxtail Lasagna Soup?

Traditional lasagna is layered with pasta, meat sauce, and cheese, baked until bubbling. Oxtail stew, on the other hand, is a Jamaican favorite made by braising oxtail until tender in a flavorful sauce. This recipe takes the best of both worlds and turns them into a soul-warming soup.

Instead of ground beef, we use oxtail for its rich, meaty flavor. The broth is tomato-based with Jamaican seasonings like thyme, scallion, and a touch of scotch bonnet pepper. Then we add broken lasagna noodles directly to the pot and finish it off with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. It’s lasagna in soup form—with a Caribbean twist.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s a fusion of two comfort classics—Jamaican oxtail stew and Italian lasagna.
• The flavors are bold, cheesy, and hearty.
• It’s unique—you won’t find this dish at any restaurant.
• Perfect for cozy family dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients for Oxtail Lasagna Soup

For the Oxtail Stew Base:

• Oxtail – The star of the dish, bringing deep, beefy flavor.
• Oil – For browning the oxtail and vegetables.
• Onion – Adds sweetness and depth.
• Cloves – A must for flavor.
• Scallions – Classic Jamaican seasoning.
• Thyme – Earthy, herbal balance.
• Scotch bonnet pepper – For a hint of heat and authentic island flavor.
• Carrots – Adds sweetness and body to the soup.
• Celery stalks – Classic base for soups and stews.
• Diced tomatoes – Builds the lasagna sauce flavor.
• Tomato paste – Rich and concentrated tomato taste.
• Beef broth – Deepens the stew base.
• Bay leaves – Adds subtle herbal notes.
• Seasonings: salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, all-purpose/complete seasoning.

For the Lasagna Soup Add-Ins:

• Lasagna noodles – Broken into bite-sized pieces.
• Ricotta cheese – Creamy, tangy lasagna signature.
• Mozzarella – For that cheesy pull.
• Parmesan – Adds nutty, salty, sharpness.
• Fresh basil or parsley – For garnish and freshness.

How to Make Oxtail Lasagna Soup

Season & Brown the Oxtail

Clean and season the oxtail with salt, pepper, and complete seasoning. Heat oil in a Dutch oven and brown oxtail on all sides until golden. Browning is key—it locks in flavor. Remove and set aside.

Build the Flavor Base

In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, scallion, carrots, celery, thyme, and scotch bonnet until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and paprika to deepen the flavor.

Slow-Simmer the Oxtail

Add oxtail back to the pot along with diced tomatoes, beef broth, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and let simmer for 2–3 hours, until the oxtail is fall-off-the-bone tender.

Add the Pasta

Shred oxtail meat (you can remove bones if desired). Stir in broken lasagna noodles and cook until al dente, about 10–12 minutes.

Make It Cheesy

Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan until melted into the broth. Serve hot, topped with a dollop of ricotta, fresh basil, and extra cheese.

Tips for the Best Oxtail Lasagna Soup

• Low and slow cooking is key – Oxtail needs time to get tender, so don’t rush it.
• Don’t skip the browning – This caramelization builds layers of flavor.
• Control the heat – If you love spice, slice the scotch bonnet; if not, keep it whole and remove after simmering.
• Add noodles later – To avoid mushy pasta, only add the noodles when the oxtail is fully cooked.
• Cheese right before serving – This keeps it creamy and fresh, just like lasagna.

FAQs About Oxtail Lasagna Soup

Can I make this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

Yes! You can brown the oxtail first, then let it cook on low in a slow cooker for 6–8 hours, or use the pressure cooker setting on the Instant Pot for 1 hour before adding the noodles and cheese.

Can I substitute another meat?

Short ribs or beef shank work well if you can’t find oxtail. But for true richness, stick with oxtail.

 Can I make it ahead?

Yes—make the oxtail stew base ahead, store in the fridge for up to 2 days, and add noodles and cheese when ready to serve.

How spicy is it?

That depends on your scotch bonnet pepper! Use it whole for mild heat, or chopped for fiery flavor.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NKJV

Wisdom

The Gospel is the most powerful thing that we as believers stand on. We should not be ashamed of it as Paul says in Romans 1:16. It is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. When we get baptized, we must try our best to crucify our flesh and start to live by faith in Jesus our Lord, who died for us.

We die like him when we go under the water and come up new, resurrected, washed by his blood, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. We become His temple, we must take care of our bodies and try our best not to practice sin for He is holy and the Spirit inside of us Adopted us as His children.

No longer will we live in this world for ourselves as we used to. We live for Him. God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to die on the cross. He took the penalty for sin in his body and nailed it to the cross, buried it in the ground and rose unto life. Anyone who believes in him, sins will be covered, we have forgiveness through Him and him alone.

There is no other way we can be saved for this world is condemned and all those who refuse to believe are condemned to be judged by the things we have done in life. We are only saved by the Grace of God through the faith that we have in his Son. So the Just shall live by faith in Him, through Him, for Him.

---

---

---

---